Former Utah Utes Lead Canadian Women’s Basketball 3×3 In Historic Win
Jul 30, 2024, 10:34 AM
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 30: Michelle Plouffe #1 of Team Canada reacts during a Women's Pool Round on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
PARIS, France – The first 3×3 women’s basketball game in Team Canada history turned into no contest as the Canadians handed Australia a 22-14 loss.
🇨🇦 The Canadians pick up a BIG W over Australia! 💪#3x3Basketball #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/fyh8pNDCVO
— 3×3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 30, 2024
The former University of Utah women’s basketball student-athletes Paige Crozon and Michelle Plouffe play for Team Canada. The Canadian women’s 3×3 team is coached by former Utah women’s basketball player Kim Gaucher.
The Plouffe sisters combined for 18 points, led by Katherine’s 10. Michelle was 4-6 inside the arc and 2-8 from deep for eight points. Crozon finished with four points and four rebounds in the win.
Recap
The Canadians built an early lead thanks to the teamwork shown by sisters Michelle and Katherine Plouff working an excellent two-person game. Katherine knocked down an early two for the first Canadian women’s 3×3 basketball points.
The Canadian women play their first game of 3X3 Basketball at #Paris2024
Watch LIVE now ⬇️https://t.co/iDjTvgPvRW pic.twitter.com/IasOdeLTnb
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) July 30, 2024
Australia didn’t have an answer as Canada rained shots from deep and got to the basket at will. Canada led 9-1 less than four minutes in.
A hoop and a foul sent Crozon to the free throw line, with her team leading big. After hitting the free throw, the Canadians led 14-2.
The Aussies continued fighting, cutting the deficit to seven after a three-point play with 3:40 left.
PAIGE CROZON. AND ONE. 😤
The Humboldt, Sask. product with the hoop and the harm to extend the Canadian lead in their Olympic opener.
🇨🇦 15 🇦🇺 2 | 4:43#Paris2024 #3x3WNT
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) July 30, 2024
Canada stemmed the tide, responding with three straight points from Michelle Plouffe to make it 19-9.
Katherine Plouffe hit the Canadian’s third shot from behind the arc to clinch the 22-14 win.
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